CLINTON – The Brookhaven Academy Lady Cougars’ dreams of repeating as MAIS Overall Champions came to the end Monday in the Overall Tournament in A.E. Wood Coliseum. The Jackson Prep Lady Patriots rallied to tie the game 41-all at the end of regulation and claimed a 51-47 victory in overtime over Brookhaven Academy.

     In boys’ action, Central Private edged East Rankin Academy 62-56.

     The Lady Cougars, under the direction of first-year head coach Ginger Duease, conclude their season with 32-8 worksheet. BA will lose two seniors, Laura Beth Wright and Terah Winborne, to graduation.

     “It has been a great year,” said Wright. “We worked really hard to make it back. You just have got to continue to praise God when you win or lose.”

     Her senior teammate agreed.

     “This was a great season,” said Winborne. “We worked really hard as a team all year, but just could not come out on top tonight.”

     The Lady Patriots (28-10) advance to the second round of the tournament and battle Mt. Salus Christian, Wednesday at 5:45 p.m.

Jackson Prep 51, Brookhaven Academy 47

     Basketball fans gathered to give support of the favorite team as the girls battled back and forth.

     In the first quarter, the Lady Patriot managed to overpower the Lady Cougars early as they climbed to 14-6 lead.

     In the second quarter, BA roared back as they outscored Jackson Prep 18-10 to tie the game at 24-all at halftime.

     In the second half, both teams continued to battle hard. BA held a slim 34-33 lead going into the final frame.

     In the fourth quarter, the Lady Cougars continued their aggressiveness. They climbed out to a 6-point lead with two-minutes left in regulation.

     In the closing minutes, the Lady Patriots managed to steal the momentum from BA and rallied to tie the game. They outscored the Lady Cougars 10-6 in overtime.

     Jackson Prep had two players reach double figures as Laurel Bane and Sara Bolen led with 15 points apiece. Bane was the leader on the boards with 11 rebounds.

     “I was very pleased with the girls execution in the closing minutes and in overtime,” said Jackson Prep coach Amanda Hatch. “This was a hard fought battle between two good teams. Fortunately, we were able to make the plays needed to win.”

     Winborne paced the Lady Cougars with a game-high 16 points and collected 8 rebounds. Wright contributed 14 points. Carey Crozier led on the boards with 9 rebounds.

     Duease had coached her girls to a pair of wins over Prep during the regular season.

     “This was a tough battle to the end,” said Duease. “Both teams wanted it and unfortunately Jackson Prep came out with the win.

     “Overall, this was a great year,” continued Duease. “I am very proud of the girls. They worked really hard all year to get here. We will truly miss our seniors and their leadership.”

     The BA boys (32-4), fresh from a runners-up finish in Class AA State Tournament, meet AAA champion Jackson Prep (35-1) Wednesday night in the quarterfinals. Tipoff is 7 p.m.